Travel to the fancy, yet incredibly beautiful town of Santa Barbara, and you may want to do more than sunbathe. Three special museums add to the quality of your trip.
Santa Barbara, on California's Central Coast, has long been known for its natural attractions. The majestic sweep of the Santa Ynez mountains, and the peaceful awe-inspiring beauty of the Pacific Ocean, both frame this perfect mid-sized town. As an elite tourist destination, Santa Barbara has much to offer as well. Chief among these attractions are the surprisingly high quality of Santa Barbara's museums and exhibitions.
Here is a list and descriptions of my favorite Santa Barbara museums.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, at 1130 State Street. On permanent display is the SBMA's permanent collection of antiquities. The antiquities include an impressive collection of marble Roman statues, Greco-Roman figural works, ancient bronzes and more, spanning from the 2nd century BC to the 19th century. There are also some fascinating Asian antiquities in the permanent collection, which range from Chinese ceramics circa 2500 BC through the early 20th century. European works include ongoing displays of original art by Matisse, Chagall, Picasso, Rodin and others. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art has revolving exhibitions of photography, such as California pictorialist photographs from photography's early days. There are special programs and events for children.
The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, at 2559 Puesta del Sol Road. The stated mission of the SBMNH is to "teach and inspire a lifelong passion and abiding respect for the natural world." The museum includes a few separate buildings on the main campus and the Ty Warner Sea Center on the wharf. Walk down Stearns Wharf, a rustic styled and popular pier on Santa Barbara's main beach: The Sea Center includes a well-maintained shark exhibit, as well as other aquariums containing local marine life. The main museum has many nicely designed exhibits that focus on local natural history, geology, paleontology, and a Lizard Lounge (live reptiles and amphibians, oh my!) which is popular with kids. The SB Museum of Natural History also has a very large and detailed collection of Chumash Indian artifacts, second only to the Smithsonian in size and breadth. The Gladwin Planetarium is the only planetarium on California's Central Coast to have live, multimedia shows.
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, at 21 West Anapamu Street, is considered the "dean of Karpeles institutions." Karpeles has several museums in a few states and is the world's largest private collection of original historic documents, manuscripts, and maps. On permanent display at the Santa Barbara Karpeles Museum, is an original Stone copy of the Declaration of Independence. There are thousands of historic documents here, and many full exhibits that are both ongoing and rotating. Past exhibits include documents, manuscripts and maps pertaining to the Civil War, Mark Twain, Amistad, Very Early Baseball, and Great Moments in Medical History.
There are other points of natural and historic interest in Santa Barbara, including the nearby Railroad Museum and the Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum. The next time your travel plans include a vacation in Santa Barbara, be sure to check out at least one of these unique and special museums.
Copyright Jennifer Miner and Suite 101. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
The copyright of the article Santa Barbara Museums in Luxury Travel is owned by Jennifer W. Miner. Permission to republish Santa Barbara Museums in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
<p></p>It would be great to visit these museums! It's been so
rainy here this summer, a California trip sounds very inviting. I was a
Forest Service firefighter in a previous life and spent a lot of time
between SB, Ventura and Ojai. The people in Ojai were really good to us.
Great article.
Aug 16, 2006 10:40 AM
Jennifer W. Miner :
<p></p>I do love Ojai and SB. But rain is rarely their
problem; in fact, I'd wager that you were kept pretty busy as a Forest
Service firefighter in Ventura County. The lack of rain and accumulation
of brush makes a prime setting for forest fires. (feel better about the
rain now?) :) Jen
Aug 16, 2006 4:31 PM
Alan Sorum :
<p></p>The other area I always liked was around Carmel and King
City. Spent some time in the Ventana Wilderness. I wouldn't mind some dry
weather, think I'm getting webbed toes...
Aug 18, 2006 5:44 PM
Kelby Carr :
I used to live in So Cal, and just loved Santa Barbara. It was always fun
to get breakfast in that restaurant with the tree in the middle. Does
anyone know which one I'm talking about? Anyway, it's a fun town with some
great restaurants.
Sep 3, 2006 3:21 PM
Jennifer W. Miner :
I don't know which restaurant has a tree in the middle, but there are two
very popular Mexican restaurants across the street from each other on State
St., one of which has some lovely trees in its outdoor dining area. One
was called Acupulco Restaurant and Cantina. Does that sound familiar?
In any case, I also really like Santa Barbara, and always have a
great time there. :) Jen
Sep 5, 2006 1:41 PM
Jill Florio :
I love SB and Ojai - used to do outdoor programs in both places. I would
totally have lived there - but those are plaes that tkae money to survive
in. I will have to just be a tourist and go the plaes you recommend
instead. :)
Oct 12, 2006 2:00 PM
Leslie Poston :
I lived in Santa Barbara for 12 y ears. I miss it (honey got homesick so we
came back to New Hampshire, his home). I do not miss the tourists, though.
LOL I used to have a bukmper stickler on my car that said "If it's
tourist season, can we shoot them?" :D
Regardless, if you
plan to visit, you can't pass up the BEST little hole in the wall Mexican
food at La Supa Rica on Milpas St (can't miss it - tiny lime green building
with a line of hungry customers out the door). Family run, all fresh, all
home made, tortillas made for each order, etc. Mas bueno!
While
you're there, stop in an say hello to my friend Dennis (Dr D) who runs
American Pie records next door. He'll spin you your favorites and sit
around talking music with you 'til closing time.
You can go to
the bar I used to tend bar at, Zelo's, for fine food by day and techno
dancing by night. Or go to their sister bar, Alex's for live rock music.
Man, now I REALLY miss Santa Barbara!
Leslie, Writer
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